HOUSTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - A key two-step procedure to seal BP Plc.'s Macondo well could begin late on Monday, the top U.S. oil spill official said on Sunday.
'That could start as early as Monday night' or perhaps early on Tuesday, retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said, referring to the 'static kill' procedure to pump heavy mud and cement into the top of the well.
The well, which has caused the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history, has been temporarily sealed for over two weeks.
But the 'bottom kill,' which will pump mud and cement through a relief well into the bottom of the well's reservoir, will seal the well once and for all, Allen said.
'The static kill is not the end-all, be-all,' Allen said. He added he would travel to BP's U.S. headquarters in Houston to oversee the 'static kill' procedure, and will issue a letter to BP to formally approve it later on Sunday.
The 'bottom kill' procedure could begin 5-7 days after the 'static kill' is finished, Allen said.
(Reporting by Bruce Nichols and Chris Baltimore, Editing by Sandra Maler)
((Email: b.nichols@thomsonreuters.com; +1 713 210 8510; Reuters Messaging: bruce.nichols.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: OIL SPILL/ALLEN (For help: Click 'Contact Us' in your desk top, click here or call 1-800-738-8377 for Reuters Products and 1-888-463-3383 for Thomson products; For client training: training.americas@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 646-223-5546) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'That could start as early as Monday night' or perhaps early on Tuesday, retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said, referring to the 'static kill' procedure to pump heavy mud and cement into the top of the well.
The well, which has caused the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history, has been temporarily sealed for over two weeks.
But the 'bottom kill,' which will pump mud and cement through a relief well into the bottom of the well's reservoir, will seal the well once and for all, Allen said.
'The static kill is not the end-all, be-all,' Allen said. He added he would travel to BP's U.S. headquarters in Houston to oversee the 'static kill' procedure, and will issue a letter to BP to formally approve it later on Sunday.
The 'bottom kill' procedure could begin 5-7 days after the 'static kill' is finished, Allen said.
(Reporting by Bruce Nichols and Chris Baltimore, Editing by Sandra Maler)
((Email: b.nichols@thomsonreuters.com; +1 713 210 8510; Reuters Messaging: bruce.nichols.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: OIL SPILL/ALLEN (For help: Click 'Contact Us' in your desk top, click here or call 1-800-738-8377 for Reuters Products and 1-888-463-3383 for Thomson products; For client training: training.americas@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 646-223-5546) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.